CM urges people to take care of health on World Heart Day

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged people of the state to maintain their health on World Heart Day.

She tweeted in this connection on Sunday: "Today is #WorldHeartDay. A healthy heart is essential for a healthy body. You will be happy to know that our Govt in #Bangla provides free surgery to children with cardiac ailments under #SishuSathi scheme. Healthcare is also free in our state at all government hospitals."

While inaugurating the Durga Puja at Barisha Club, Banerjee said regular maintenance of the body is required for optimum health.

"To enjoy life good health is required, but this is not all. There should also be freshness of the mind which is most important," she said.

After coming to power in 2011, the Chief Minister has taken several steps to provide quality healthcare to the people. The medical service in state-run hospitals throughout the state has become free. The institutional delivery rate has gone up, while the child mortality rate has gone down considerably.

The state government has also set up 40-odd superspecialty hospitals in the districts and the district hospitals have been upgraded.

The Bengal government is the only state government where heart transplantation in state-run hospitals is done free of cost.

In Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), a team of doctors had conducted the surgery on a patient a few months ago. The installation

of stent is also done free of

cost. The state-run hospitals treat kidney ailments for free as well.

Owing to the quality of healthcare facilities available, many people from the neighbouring states and nations come to Bengal for treatment in the state-run hospitals.